46 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
brouzy and purplish foliage. Not less various and at¬ 
tractive than the foliage are the flowers, for they range 
from light yellow to the deepest orange, and from rosy 
red to fiery scarlet and deep crimson. 
One of the most distinct and beautiful of the Cannas 
is Iridiflora Ehmanni, the subject of our illustration. 
It has a vigorous habit, attaining under favorable 
circumstances a height of six feet: the leaves are very 
large and stout, and the flowers, which are very freely 
produced, are of a rich carmine-red differing from the 
well known varieties in being somewhat trumpet 
shaped, and in having equal sized lobes. 
As to culture and propagation notliiug can be more 
simple; they may be stored in Winter as readily as 
potatoes, under shelves in the greenhouse, in the root- 
room, or. in fact, anywhere, if covered up to protect 
them from frost. In Spring they may be brought out 
tom to pieces where they naturally divide, and. if de¬ 
sirable, they may be started into growth in pots or 
boxes, and planted out in the border in May, or the 
tuber's may be planted where they are to remain. 
It matters but little in what situation they are, as 
they do well in both sun and shade, and the only point 
the grower Iras to consider is the selection of position, 
in which they will produce the best effect. Some of 
the tall growing kinds, with large leaves, sometimes 
suffer from high winds, and so far as practicable they 
should not be planted where much exposed. Those of 
medium height are well able to withstand the effect of 
rough weather, and if there is a position in the garden 
more exposed than another the dwarf growers should 
be planted in preference to the taller kinds. To insure 
a strong growth and full sized leaves, the soil must be 
light and rich. If the roots have been started in pots, 
the last of May is a good time for bedding them out, 
and the distance at which they are put apart should 
range from two to four feet, according to the strength 
and habit and the variety. In dry, hot seasons a light 
mulch is of great advantage, particularly if the soil is 
naturally light and sandy. Beyond this no attention 
will be required throughout the Summer season, the- 
plants will continuo to improve in grandeur and beauty 
until killed by frost. 
The Chinese Primrose. 
We know of no other plant so sure to bloom iu window 
culture, as the Chinese Primrose. Several years ago, 
we mentioned it as “Everybody’s Flower,” and were- 
somewhat amused to find that an English author had 
adopted the name in his work on Floriculture. It is 
now too late to start with the seeds, as these must be 
sown in early summer to raise plants for winter bloom¬ 
ing: but plants may be had of the florist’s at a moderate 
price. In purchasing, be sure to get those which have 
not been forced, but only exposed to the heat of a cool 
greenhouse; all the better if they are without buds. 
The varieties range from white to dark purple, and 
there are single and double ones of different colors. 
Besides their pleasing flowers, some have such beautiful 
foliage that they would be worth growing, did they not 
bloom. The single varieties flower rather more freely 
than the double, though we have had much satisfaction 
from the Double White, when it had not been subjected 
to too much heat. In the window they need a sunny 
place, but do best in a room that is not very warm. A 
little liquid manure, very weak, will help them. Pick 
off the flowers as soon as they are past their prime, as 
seed-bearing will needlessly exhaust the plant.— Am. 
Agriculturist. 
Wuen a thing becomes common and easily obtain¬ 
able, it generally ceases to have any interest for people. 
Tins is now illustrated iu the case of the little moun¬ 
tain plant Edelweiss, which is said to be losing its facti¬ 
tious value because it is regularly cultivated in gardens 
iu Switzerland and sold like cabbage in the open market.. 
Edelraute, which can only be found in difficult cliffs, is 
now coming into favor. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Seedling Pomegranate .—Julia Spencer. The reason 
why your seedlings dc not bloom, is because they are 
not old enough. Thesejjlants should be increased by 
cuttings from flowering plants. Your better plan now 
is tc bud them, which can readily be done at any time 
when fully matured buds can be obtained. 
Bananas and Pineapples.— Same. These will not 
ripen their fruits in the ordinary living-room; they re¬ 
quire the humid atmosphere of the greenhouse, the 
latter requiring much greater heat than the greenhouse 
affords. In artificial cultivation they are grown in 
what are known as pine-houses; low structures, with 
strong bottom heat. Neither of them must be allowed 
to rest, and neither ever bears fruit but once. 
Cacti.— Same. About all the secret there is in grow¬ 
ing this class of plants, is to water freely while they ar e 
growing, and keeping them dry and warm while they 
are at rest. 
We thank our correspondent for her kind wishes for 
the Cabinet, and assure her that we shall spare no 
pains to make it what she desires. 
Church Bouquets .—Rosa J., Pataskala, O. We will 
at an early day write an article on floral decorations, 
such as are appropriate for churches. A tasteful ar¬ 
rangement of flowers is a much more simple task than 
is generally supposed, which we will try to show our 
readers in good time. 
The Secret Out.—The same correspondent has 
struck the key-note of success in floriculture. She 
says: “ My Cannas are twelve feet high, with leaves 
eighteen inches long and twelve wide. My Gerani¬ 
ums are in constant bloom, the admiration of every 
one. When asked how I make them grow and bloom, 
so well, I say, Subscribe for the Cabinet —that will 
tell you all.” 
